Optical element

ABSTRACT

According to an aspect, an optical element includes: a first substrate including a first electrode; a second substrate stacked on the first substrate and including a second electrode; a liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate; a sealing member extending along an outer periphery of the liquid crystal layer; a first spacer provided on an inner side of the sealing member; and a conductive column provided on an outer side of the sealing member and electrically connecting the first electrode and the second electrode. The conductive column and the first spacer include the same material.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority from Japanese PatentApplication No. 2021-062042 filed on Mar. 31, 2021, the entire contentsof which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

What is disclosed herein relates to an optical element.

2. Description of the Related Art

A light adjustment panel as an exemplary optical element includes, forexample, an upper substrate, a lower substrate, a liquid crystal layersealed between the upper substrate and the lower substrate, and a spacerprovided in the liquid crystal layer (refer to Japanese PatentApplication Laid-open Publication No. 2020-34612, for example). In thelight adjustment panel, the spacer is provided to maintain a cell gap asthe distance between the upper substrate and the lower substrate. Whenincident light enters the light adjustment panel, the opticaltransmittance of the incident light is adjusted by the light adjustmentpanel, and transmitted light thus adjusted is output from the lightadjustment panel.

Simplification has been desired for work of forming spacers inmanufacturing an optical element such as a light adjustment panel.

For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for an optical element thatcan further simplify work of forming spacers for maintaining a cell gapas the distance between an upper substrate and a lower substrate.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect, an optical element includes: a first substrateincluding a first electrode; a second substrate stacked on the firstsubstrate and including a second electrode; a liquid crystal layerprovided between the first substrate and the second substrate; a sealingmember extending along an outer periphery of the liquid crystal layer; afirst spacer provided on an inner side of the sealing member; and aconductive column provided on an outer side of the sealing member andelectrically connecting the first electrode and the second electrode.The conductive column and the first spacer include the same material.

According to an aspect, an optical element includes: a first substrate;a second substrate stacked on the first substrate; a liquid crystallayer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate; asealing member extending along an outer periphery of the liquid crystallayer; and a second spacer provided on an inner side of the sealingmember and contacting the first substrate and the second substrate. Thesealing member and the second spacer include the same material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a light adjustment panel according to afirst embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an array substrate according to thefirst embodiment when viewed from above;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a counter substrate according to thefirst embodiment when viewed from above;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the light adjustment panel according tothe first embodiment when viewed from above;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the light adjustment panel according tothe first embodiment when viewed from above;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 5 ;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the counter substrate according to thefirst embodiment when viewed from above;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7 ;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the array substrate according to thefirst embodiment when viewed from above;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line X-X in FIG. 9 ;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a light adjustment panel according toa second embodiment when viewed from above;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line XII-XII in FIG. 11 ; and

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a light adjustment panel according toa modification when viewed from above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects (embodiments) of the present disclosure will be described belowin detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Contentsdescribed below in the embodiments do not limit the present disclosure.Components described below include those that could be easily thought ofby the skilled person in the art and those identical in effect.Components described below can be combined as appropriate.

What is disclosed herein is merely exemplary, and any modification thatcould be easily thought of by the skilled person in the art asappropriate without departing from the gist of the disclosure iscontained in the scope of the present disclosure. For clearerdescription, the drawings are schematically illustrated for the width,thickness, shape, and the like of each component as compared to anactual aspect in some cases, but the drawings are merely exemplary anddo not limit interpretation of the present disclosure. In the presentspecification and drawings, any element same as that already describedwith reference to an already described drawing is denoted by the samereference sign, and detailed description thereof is omitted asappropriate in some cases.

In this disclosure, when an element is described as being “on” anotherelement, the element can be directly on the other element, or there canbe one or more elements between the element and the other element.

In an XYZ coordinate system illustrated in the drawings, an X directionis a right-left direction, and an X1 direction and an X2 direction areopposite to each other. The X1 direction is also referred to as a leftdirection, and the X2 direction is also referred to as a rightdirection. A Y direction is a front-back direction, and a Y1 directionand a Y2 direction are opposite to each other. The Y1 direction is alsoreferred to as a front direction, and the Y2 direction is also referredto as a back direction. A Z direction is an up-down direction (stackingdirection). A Z1 direction and a Z2 direction are opposite to eachother. The Z1 direction is also referred to as an up direction, and theZ2 direction is also referred to as a down direction. An alignment filmthat controls the orientation of liquid crystal molecules is providedfor wiring in an active region (refer to an active region 40 in FIG. 1 )but is omitted in the drawings in some cases.

First Embodiment

First, a light adjustment panel according to a first embodiment will bedescribed below. The light adjustment panel is an exemplary opticalelement according to the present invention. That is, the optical elementof the present invention is not limited to a light adjustment panel butmay be, for example, a liquid crystal lens or a liquid crystal antenna.FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the light adjustment panel according tothe first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an arraysubstrate according to the first embodiment when viewed from above. FIG.3 is a schematic diagram of a counter substrate according to the firstembodiment when viewed from above. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of thelight adjustment panel according to the first embodiment when viewedfrom above. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the light adjustment panelaccording to the first embodiment when viewed from above. FIG. 6 is asectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 5 . FIG. 7 is a schematicdiagram of the counter substrate according to the first embodiment whenviewed from above. FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIIIin FIG. 7 . FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the array substrateaccording to the first embodiment when viewed from above. FIG. 10 is asectional view taken along line X-X in FIG. 9 .

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , a light adjustment panel 1 according to thefirst embodiment includes an array substrate (first substrate) 2, acounter substrate (second substrate) 3, a liquid crystal layer 4, asealing member 5, and first spacers 72 to be described later. Thecounter substrate 3 is disposed on the upper side (Z1 side) of the arraysubstrate 2. The liquid crystal layer 4 is provided between the countersubstrate 3 and the array substrate 2. The sealing member 5 extendsalong the outer periphery of the liquid crystal layer 4. The sealingmember 5 includes an inflow port 51 for liquid crystal on the Y2 side.The active region 40 is a region in which the liquid crystal layer 4 isprovided, a frame region is a region outside the liquid crystal layer 4,and a first area 21 and a second area 22 are terminal regions. A firstterminal group 10 of the array substrate 2 can be electrically coupledto a flexible printed circuit (FPC) 400.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4 , the array substrate 2 is larger thanthe counter substrate 3. That is, the area of the counter substrate 3 issmaller than the area of the array substrate 2. The array substrate 2includes a transparent glass 23 (refer to FIG. 2 ). The countersubstrate 3 includes a transparent glass 31 (refer to FIG. 3 ). In thefirst embodiment, the array substrate 2 and the counter substrate 3 havesquare shapes in plan view from above, but the shapes of substratesaccording to the present invention are not limited to square shapes. Inplan view from above, an end of the counter substrate 3 on the X1 sideis provided at substantially the same position in the X direction asthat of an end of the array substrate 2 on the X1 side, and an end ofthe counter substrate 3 on the Y2 side is provided at substantially thesame position in the Y direction as that of an end of the arraysubstrate 2 on the Y2 side. Consequently, an end part of a front surface2 a of the array substrate 2 on the Y1 side and an end part of the frontsurface 2 a of the array substrate 2 on the X2 side are exposed. Thesealing member 5 extends in an annular shape along the outer peripheryof the counter substrate 3. The array substrate 2 or the countersubstrate 3 may be formed of transparent resin not glass.

In other words, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4 , the front surface 2 aof the array substrate 2 includes a first area (first side) 21 and asecond area (second side) 22, and the first area 21 and the second area22 are exposed. The first area 21 and the second area 22 are orthogonalto (intersect) each other. The first area 21 is positioned at the endpart of the front surface 2 a of the array substrate 2 on the Y1 sideand extends in the X direction. The second area 22 is positioned at theend part of the front surface 2 a of the array substrate 2 on the X2side and extends in the Y direction. The first area 21 and the secondarea 22 form an L shape when viewed from above. The first terminal group10 is disposed on the first area 21, and a second terminal group 20 isdisposed on the second area 22. The first terminal group 10 and thesecond terminal group 20 are exposed since the area of the countersubstrate 3 is smaller than that of the array substrate 2 in the lightadjustment panel 1.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4 , the first terminal group 10 includes afirst terminal 101, a second terminal 102, a third terminal 103, and afourth terminal 104. The first terminal 101, the second terminal 102,the third terminal 103, and the fourth terminal 104 are sequentiallyarranged from the X1 side toward the X2 side in the right-left direction(X direction).

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4 , the second terminal group 20 includesa fifth terminal 201, a sixth terminal 202, a seventh terminal 203, andan eighth terminal 204. The fifth terminal 201, the sixth terminal 202,the seventh terminal 203, and the eighth terminal 204 are sequentiallyarranged from the Y2 side toward the Y1 side in the front-back direction(Y direction).

The following describes wiring lines of the array substrate 2 and thecounter substrate 3. As illustrated in FIG. 6 , wiring lines areprovided on the front surface of each substrate, among the front andback surfaces thereof. In other words, a surface on which wiring linesare provided is referred to as the front surface, and a surface oppositeto the front surface is referred to as the back surface. Specifically,as illustrated in FIG. 6 , wiring lines are provided on the frontsurface 2 a on the upper side among the front surface 2 a and a backsurface 2 b of the array substrate 2, and wiring lines are provided on afront surface 3 a on the lower side among the front surface 3 a and aback surface 3 b of the counter substrate 3. In this manner, the arraysubstrate 2 and the counter substrate 3 are disposed so that the frontsurface 2 a and the front surface 3 a are opposite to each other withthe liquid crystal layer 4 interposed therebetween. The wiring lines ofthe array substrate 2 and the counter substrate 3 are supplied with, forexample, alternating current (AC) with a pulse wave form having apredetermined amplitude and a predetermined period (for example, ±15 V)from a power source, which is not illustrated. Detailed descriptionthereof will be given below.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 , a first electrode 200 including wiring lines,liquid crystal drive electrodes, and coupling portions is provided onthe front surface 2 a of the transparent glass 23 of the array substrate2. In other words, the array substrate 2 includes the first electrode200. A coupling portion C1 (refer to FIG. 2 ) as the first electrode 200of the array substrate 2 and a coupling portion C3 (refer to FIG. 3 ) asa second electrode 300 of the counter substrate 3 are electricallycoupled to each other through a conductive column 61 (refer to FIGS. 5and 6 ) capable of conducting electricity. Similarly, a coupling portionC2 (refer to FIG. 2 ) as the first electrode 200 of the array substrate2 and a coupling portion C4 (refer to FIG. 3 ) as the second electrode300 of the counter substrate 3 are electrically coupled to each otherthrough a conductive column 62 (refer to FIG. 5 ) capable of conductingelectricity.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the first terminal 101 and the fifth terminal201 are electrically coupled to each other through wiring lines (firstwiring lines) 241, 242, and 243. The wiring line 241 extends in the X1direction from the first terminal 101. The wiring line 242 extendsstraight in the Y2 direction from an end of the wiring line 241 to thecoupling portion C1. The wiring line 243 extends in the X2 directionfrom the coupling portion C1 and is coupled to the fifth terminal 201.The wiring lines 241, 242, and 243 are disposed on the outer side of thesealing member 5. A configuration can be employed in which one, some, orall of the wiring lines 241, 242, and 243 are disposed on the inner sideof the sealing member 5.

The second terminal 102 and the sixth terminal 202 are electricallycoupled to each other through wiring lines (second wiring lines) 244 and245. The wiring line 244 is coupled to the second terminal 102 andextends in the Y2 direction. The wiring line 245 extends in the X2direction from an end of the wiring line 244 located in the Y2 directionand is coupled to the sixth terminal 202. The wiring lines 244 and 245are disposed on the inner side of the sealing member 5. A configurationcan be employed in which one or both of the wiring lines 244 and 245 aredisposed on the outer side of the sealing member 5.

The third terminal 103 and the seventh terminal 203 are electricallycoupled to each other through wiring lines (third wiring lines) 246,247, and 240. The wiring line 246 is coupled to the third terminal 103and extends in the X2 direction. The wiring line 247 extends in the Y2direction from an end of the wiring line 246 located in the X2 directionand is coupled to the wiring line 240. The wiring line 240 is coupled tothe seventh terminal 203. The wiring lines 246 and 247 are disposed onthe inner side of the sealing member 5. A configuration can be employedin which one, some, or all of the wiring lines 246, 247, and 240 aredisposed on the outer side of the sealing member 5.

The fourth terminal 104 and the eighth terminal 204 are electricallycoupled to each other through wiring lines (fourth wiring lines) 248 and249. The wiring line 248 extends straight from the fourth terminal 104to the coupling portion C2. The wiring line 249 extends straight in theY2 direction from the coupling portion C2 and is coupled to the eighthterminal 204. The wiring lines 248 and 249 are disposed on the outerside of the sealing member 5. A configuration can be employed in whichone or both of the wiring lines 248 and 249 are disposed on the innerside of the sealing member 5.

Liquid crystal drive electrodes 261 are coupled to the wiring line 244.As illustrated in FIG. 2 , seven liquid crystal drive electrodes 261 areprovided in the present embodiment. Specifically, the seven liquidcrystal drive electrodes 261 extend straight in the X2 direction fromthe wiring line 244. The seven liquid crystal drive electrodes 261 aredisposed at equal intervals along the Y direction.

Liquid crystal drive electrodes 262 are coupled to the wiring line 247.As illustrated in FIG. 2 , six liquid crystal drive electrodes 262 areprovided in the present embodiment. Specifically, the six liquid crystaldrive electrodes 262 extend straight in the X1 direction from the wiringline 247. The six liquid crystal drive electrodes 262 are disposed atequal intervals in the Y direction. The liquid crystal drive electrodes261 and 262 are alternately arranged in the Y direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 3 , the second electrode 300 including wiringlines 340, 341, 342, and 343, liquid crystal drive electrodes 361 and362, and the coupling portions C3 and C4 is provided on the frontsurface 3 a of the counter substrate 3. In other words, the countersubstrate 3 includes the second electrode 300.

The wiring line 340 extends straight in the Y1 direction from thecoupling portion C3. The wiring line 341 extends straight in the X2direction from the coupling portion C3.

The wiring line 342 is coupled to the coupling portion C4. The wiringline 343 is coupled to the wiring line 342 and extends straight in theX1 direction.

The liquid crystal drive electrodes 361 are coupled to the wiring line341. As illustrated in FIG. 3 , seven liquid crystal drive electrodes361 are provided in the present embodiment. Specifically, the sevenliquid crystal drive electrodes 361 extend straight in the Y1 directionfrom the wiring line 341. The seven liquid crystal drive electrodes 361are disposed at equal intervals along the X direction.

The liquid crystal drive electrodes 362 are coupled to the wiring line343. As illustrated in FIG. 3 , six liquid crystal drive electrodes 362are provided in the present embodiment. Specifically, the six liquidcrystal drive electrodes 362 extend straight in the Y2 direction fromthe wiring line 343. The six liquid crystal drive electrodes 362 aredisposed at equal intervals along the X direction. The liquid crystaldrive electrodes 361 and 362 are alternately arranged in the Xdirection.

The following describes the light adjustment panel 1, particularlyfocusing on the conductive columns 61 and 62 and the first spacers(spacer) 72. In the first embodiment, the conductive columns 61 and 62and the first spacers 72 include the same conductive material.

As illustrated in FIG. 5 , the sealing member 5 is provided in anannular shape in the light adjustment panel 1. The sealing member 5 hasa substantially rectangular shape in plan view. The two conductivecolumns 61 and 62 are disposed on the outer side of the sealing member5. The conductive column 61 is disposed at an end part of the countersubstrate 3 (light adjustment panel 1) on the Y2 side and the X1 side.The conductive column 62 is disposed at an end part of the countersubstrate 3 on the Y1 side and the X2 side.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 , insulating layers 81 and 82 and thefirst spacers 72 are provided on the inner side of the sealing member 5.The insulating layers 81 and 82 have rectangular shapes in plan view.The insulating layer 81 is provided to the array substrate 2, and theinsulating layer 82 is provided to the counter substrate 3. Theinsulating layers 81 and 82 overlap with each other when viewed fromabove. The first spacers 72 each have a column shape. A plurality of thefirst spacers 72 are scattered at equal intervals. Specifically, in thefirst embodiment, nine first spacers 72 are provided in total anddisposed at equal intervals. Specifically, three of the nine firstspacers 72 are disposed on a first line closest to the Y2 side, anotherthree are disposed on a second line adjacent to the first line locatedon the Y1 side of the first line, and the other three are disposed on athird line adjacent to the second line located on the Y1 side of thesecond line. The three first spacers 72 on the first line are disposedat equal intervals in the X direction, the three first spacers 72 on thesecond line are disposed at equal intervals in the X direction, and thethree first spacers 72 on the third line are disposed at equal intervalsin the X direction.

A configuration in which the first spacer 72 has a column shape meansthat the height H of the first spacer 72 is greater than the maximumwidth d of the first spacer 72 when viewed in plan view (d<H) asillustrated in FIG. 6 or the height H is equal to the width d (d=H). Inthe former case, d≤H/2 is preferably satisfied. Furthermore preferably,d≤H/3 is satisfied. Most preferably, d≤H/5 is satisfied. Similarly, aconfiguration in which the second spacer 71 has a column shape meansthat the height of the second spacer 71 is greater than or equal to themaximum width of the second spacer 71 when viewed in plan view.

The planar shape of the first spacer 71 when viewed in plan view is notlimited to a circular shape or an oval shape and can be a polygonalshape or a polygon-like shape such as a square shape and a rectangularshape having rounded corners.

As illustrated in FIG. 6 , the conductive column 61 electricallyconnects the coupling portion (first electrode 200) C1 of the arraysubstrate 2 to the coupling portion (second electrode 300) C3 of thecounter substrate 3. In other words, the conductive column 61 isprovided between the coupling portion (first electrode 200) C1 and thecoupling portion (second electrode 300) C3. The conductive column 61 ismade of a conductive material. Specifically, the conductive column 61includes a resin 611 and a conductive bead 612 contained in the resin611. The conductive bead 612 contacts both the coupling portion (firstelectrode 200) C1 and the coupling portion (second electrode 300) C3.The resin 611 may be, for example, an ultraviolet (UV) curable resin ora thermosetting resin. The UV curable resin is a synthesis resin thatchemically changes from liquid to solid through reaction withultraviolet light energy. The diameter of the conductive bead 612 ispreferably, for example, in a range of 10 micrometers to 100 micrometersinclusive, and the thicknesses of the first electrode 200 and the secondelectrode 300 are preferably, for example, in a range of 30 nanometersto 250 nanometers inclusive. A cell gap as the distance between thefront surface 2 a of the array substrate 2 and the front surface 3 a ofthe counter substrate 3 illustrated in FIG. 6 is preferably, forexample, in a range of 10 micrometers to 150 micrometers inclusive, morepreferably, in a range of 20 micrometers to 100 micrometers inclusive.Furthermore, the cell gap can be in a range of 30 micrometers to 80micrometers inclusive. A cell gap of a liquid crystal cell used for aconventional liquid crystal display device is in a range of 3micrometers to 5 micrometers inclusive. Thus, the cell gap of the lightadjustment panel 1 of the present embodiment is considerably greaterthan that of such a conventional liquid crystal display device.

As illustrated in FIG. 6 , each first spacer 72 is provided between theinsulating layer 81 of the array substrate 2 and the insulating layer 82of the counter substrate 3. In the sectional view of FIG. 6 , theinsulating layer 81 is provided on the second wiring line 245 and theliquid crystal drive electrodes 261 and 262. In addition, the insulatinglayer 82 is provided on the liquid crystal drive electrodes 361 and 362.The insulating layers 81 and 82 are made of a transparent inorganicinsulating material such as silicon nitride. Each first spacer 72includes the resin 611 and the conductive bead 612 contained in theresin 611. In this manner, each first spacer 72 is made of the samematerial as that of the conductive column 61. The first spacer 72overlaps with the first electrode 200 of the array substrate 2 and thesecond electrode 300 of the counter substrate 3 with the insulatinglayers 81 and 82 interposed therebetween. In the present disclosure, thefirst spacer 72 may overlap with the first electrode 200 of the arraysubstrate 2 with the insulating layer 81 interposed therebetween, or mayoverlap with the second electrode 300 of the counter substrate 3 withthe insulating layer 82 interposed therebetween. In other words, thefirst spacer 72 overlaps with at least one of the first electrode 200 ofthe array substrate 2 and the second electrode 300 of the countersubstrate 3 with at least one of the insulating layers 81, 82 interposedtherebetween. With this configuration, although the first spacers 72 areconductive, insulation between the first electrode 200 of the arraysubstrate 2 and the second electrode 300 of the counter substrate 3 ismaintained by the insulating layers 81 and 82.

Although not illustrated in the figure, a configuration can be employedin which an alignment film is provided on each of the insulating layers81 and 82 to control the initial orientation of the liquid crystal ofthe liquid crystal layer 4.

The sealing member 5 is made of an insulating material. Specifically, asillustrated in FIG. 6 , the sealing member 5 includes an insulatingresin 52 and the insulating bead 53 contained in the resin 52. Theinsulating bead 53 may be, for example, a resin bead or a silica bead.

The following briefly describes a method of manufacturing the lightadjustment panel 1 according to the first embodiment with reference toFIGS. 5 to 10 .

First, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the conductive columns 61 and62, the insulating layer 82, and the first spacers 72 are formed on thecounter substrate 3. In this case, a plurality of counter substrates 3that are continuous in the right-left direction can be formed by using,for example, one glass substrate that is long in the right-leftdirection.

Specifically, the insulating layer 82 is first formed on the countersubstrate 3 on which the wiring lines are patterned. The insulatinglayer 82 having a rectangular shape is provided at a central part of thecounter substrate 3 by using a transparent inorganic insulating materialsuch as silicon nitride as described above. Thereafter, the conductivecolumns 61 and 62 and the first spacers 72 are provided. The conductivecolumns 61 and 62 and the first spacers 72 are formed of the samematerial as described above. In the present embodiment, for example,mixture of the conductive bead 612 with the resin 611 such as a UVcurable resin is applied in point shapes. Since the nine first spacers72 are provided, the mixture is applied at equal intervals as nine dotson the insulating layer 82.

Subsequently, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the insulating layer 81and the sealing member 5 are formed on the array substrate 2. In thiscase, a plurality of array substrates 2 that are continuous in theright-left direction can be formed by using, for example, one glasssubstrate that is long in the right-left direction. Specifically, theinsulating layer 81 having a rectangular shape is provided on the arraysubstrate 2 by using a transparent inorganic insulating material such assilicon nitride. In addition, the sealing member 5 obtained by mixingthe insulating bead 53 in the resin 52 is applied along the outerperiphery of the insulating layer 81 through a dispenser. The sealingmember 5 may be formed by printing.

Then, after the counter substrate 3 and the array substrate 2 are bondedto each other, the conductive columns 61 and 62, the first spacers 72,and the sealing member 5 are cured by applying light (ultraviolet light)and/or heat thereto. Specifically, the two above-described glasssubstrates that are long in the right-left direction are boded to eachother. Thereafter, the bonded glass substrates are cut into sets of thecounter substrate 3 and the array substrate 2. Then, after liquidcrystal is injected to the inner side of the sealing member 5 throughthe inflow port 51 of the sealing member 5, the inflow port 51 is sealedwith a sealant (not illustrated), thereby bringing the light adjustmentpanel 1 to completion.

As described above, the light adjustment panel 1 according to the firstembodiment includes: the array substrate 2 including the couplingportions C1 and C2 (first electrode 200); the counter substrate 3including the coupling portions C3 and C4 (second electrode 300); theliquid crystal layer 4 provided between the array substrate 2 and thecounter substrate 3; the sealing member 5 extending along the outerperiphery of the liquid crystal layer 4; the first spacers 72 providedon the inner side of the sealing member 5; the conductive column 61provided on the outer side of the sealing member 5 and electricallyconnecting the coupling portion C1 and the coupling portion C3; and theconductive column 62 provided on the outer side of the sealing member 5and electrically connecting the coupling portion C2 and the couplingportion C4. The conductive columns 61 and 62 and the first spacers 72include the same material.

With this configuration, the conductive columns 61 and 62 and the firstspacers 72 can be formed of the same material with the same equipment(for example, a robot). Thus, work of forming the first spacers 72 canbe further simplified.

The material of the conductive columns 61 and 62 and the first spacers72 includes the resin 611 and the conductive beads 612 contained in theresin 611.

Since each first spacer 72 includes the conductive bead 612, it ispossible, by using a plurality of conductive beads 612 having the samediameter, to easily keep equal the cell gap at each area in plan view.An insulating layer is preferably provided to prevent short-circuitbetween the first electrode 200 of the array substrate 2 and the secondelectrode 300 of the counter substrate 3.

Each first spacer 72 has a column shape. Therefore, the area of a regionwhere the first spacer 72 supports the array substrate 2 and the countersubstrate 3 is larger than that in a case in which the first spacer 72is, for example, a sphere, and thus the counter substrate 3 can be morestably supported.

A plurality of the first spacers 72 are scattered at equal intervals.Therefore, force for supporting the counter substrate 3 on the upperside is more equally applied on the first spacers 72 than that in a casein which the first spacers 72 are disposed at non-equal intervals, andthus the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 4 is more uniform.

As described above, the cell gap of the light adjustment panel 1according to the present embodiment is considerably greater than that ofa cell gap for a conventional display device. Therefore, spacers arerequired to have strength enough to maintain the cell gap. According tothe present embodiment, the first spacer 72 is formed so as to includethe conductive bead 612, and the conductive bead 612 has sufficientcompressive strength. Consequently, the first spacer 72 has sufficientsupporting strength. Needless to say, the conductive bead 612 functionsas what is called a support column in each first spacer 72 andcontributes to keeping the shape and the attitude of the first spacer 72that stands erect without any support from other elements in aneffective area. In the first spacer 72, the resin 611 is provided aroundthe conductive bead 612, and the first spacer 72 is formed on theinsulating layers 81 and 82, which function as buffer materials toreduce occurrence of damage or the like to the first spacer 72 thatwould be caused by the first spacer 72 coming in direct contact withelectrodes and/or substrates.

The array substrate 2 has a rectangular shape including the first area21 and the second area 22. The first terminal group 10 is disposed inthe first area 21, and the second terminal group 20 is disposed in thesecond area 22. The area of the array substrate 2 is larger than that ofthe counter substrate 3. Thus, the first terminal group 10 and thesecond terminal group 20 are exposed when the counter substrate 3 isstacked on the array substrate 2.

The first terminal group 10 includes the first terminal 101, the secondterminal 102, the third terminal 103, and the fourth terminal 104. Thesecond terminal group 20 includes the fifth terminal 201, the sixthterminal 202, the seventh terminal 203, and the eighth terminal 204. Thefirst terminal 101 and the fifth terminal 201 are electrically coupledto each other through the first wiring line, the second terminal 102 andthe sixth terminal 202 are electrically coupled to each other throughthe second wiring line, the third terminal 103 and the seventh terminal203 are electrically coupled to each other through the third wiringline, the fourth terminal 104 and the eighth terminal 204 areelectrically coupled to each other through the fourth wiring line, andthe liquid crystal drive electrodes 261 are coupled to the second wiringline and the liquid crystal drive electrodes 262 are coupled to thethird wiring line.

With this configuration, the first terminal group 10 or the secondterminal group 20 can be disposed on the same side (for example, the Y1side in FIG. 4 ) by rotating the orientation of the light adjustmentpanel 1 by, for example, 90 degrees. Thus, when the flexible printedcircuit 400 is coupled to the first terminal group 10 or the secondterminal group 20, the flexible printed circuit 400 can be led out fromthe same side.

Second Embodiment

The following describes a light adjustment panel according to a secondembodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the light adjustment panelaccording to the second embodiment when viewed from above. FIG. 12 is asectional view taken along line XII-XII in FIG. 11 . FIG. 13 is aschematic diagram of a light adjustment panel according to amodification when viewed from above. In the second embodiment, a sealingmember and second spacers include the same material. Detaileddescription thereof will be given below.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 , a light adjustment panel 1Aaccording to the second embodiment includes the array substrate (firstsubstrate) 2, the counter substrate (second substrate) 3, the liquidcrystal layer 4, the sealing member 5, and second spacers 71. Thecounter substrate 3 is disposed on the upper side (Z1 side) of the arraysubstrate 2. The liquid crystal layer 4 is provided between the countersubstrate 3 and the array substrate 2. The sealing member 5 extendsalong the outer periphery of the liquid crystal layer 4. A plurality(nine) of the second spacers 71 are scattered at equal intervals.

As illustrated in FIG. 12 , the sealing member 5 includes the resin 52,which is formed of epoxy resin or acrylic resin, and the insulatingbeads 53 contained in the resin 52. The insulating bead 53 may be, forexample, a resin bead or a silica bead. In FIG. 12 , three insulatingbeads 53 are arranged in the X direction, but the number of insulatingbeads 53 is not particularly limited. An embodiment can be employed inwhich the material forming the sealing member 5 can be formed of amaterial having a light-transmitting property.

As illustrated in FIG. 12 , an alignment film 90 is provided in theentire region of the liquid crystal layer 4. Specifically, asillustrated in FIG. 12 , at parts corresponding to electrodes, thealignment film 90 is disposed on, for example, the third wiring line 247(refer to FIG. 2 ) for the array substrate 2 and on the liquid crystaldrive electrode 361 (refer to FIG. 3 ) for the counter substrate 3,whereas at parts not corresponding to electrodes, the alignment film 90is disposed on the front surface 2 a of the array substrate 2 and thefront surface 3 a of the counter substrate 3. The second spacer 71 isprovided between the third wiring line 247 and the liquid crystal driveelectrodes 361. The second spacer 71 has a column shape. In the same wayas the sealing member 5, the second spacer 71 includes the insulatingresin 52 and the insulating bead 53 contained in the resin 52. Theinsulating bead 53 may be, for example, a resin bead or a silica bead.The thickness of the alignment film 90 is preferably, for example, in arange of 30 nanometers to 100 nanometers inclusive. In the secondembodiment as well, the cell gap is preferably, for example, in a rangeof 20 micrometers to 100 micrometers inclusive.

The sealing member is not limited to the sealing member 5 including theinflow port 51 for liquid crystal as described above but may be asealing member 5A having an annular shape and not including the inflowport 51 as illustrated in FIG. 13 . The sealing member 5A is made of thesame material as that of the sealing member 5. Liquid crystal isinjected to the inner side of the sealing member 5A before the arraysubstrate 2 and the counter substrate 3 are bonded to each other.

As described above, the light adjustment panel 1A according to thesecond embodiment includes: the array substrate 2; the counter substrate3; the liquid crystal layer 4 provided between the array substrate 2 andthe counter substrate 3; the sealing member 5 extending along the outerperiphery of the liquid crystal layer 4; and the second spacers 71provided on the inner side of the sealing member 5. The sealing member 5and the second spacers 71 include the same material.

With this configuration, the sealing member 5 and the second spacers 71can be formed of the same material with the same equipment (for example,a robot). Thus, work of forming the second spacers 71 can be furthersimplified.

The material of the sealing member 5 and the second spacers 71 includesthe resin 52 and the insulating beads 53 contained in the resin 52.Since the second spacers 71 include the insulating beads 53, the cellgap between the array substrate 2 and the counter substrate 3 can beeasily maintained constant while insulation is maintained between thefirst electrode 200 of the array substrate 2 and the second electrode300 of the counter substrate 3.

More specifically, in the present embodiment, the second spacer 71 isformed so as to include the insulating bead 53, and the insulating bead53 has sufficient compressive strength. Consequently, the second spacer71 has sufficient supporting strength. Needless to say, the insulatingbead 53 functions as what is called a support column in each secondspacer 71 and contributes to keeping the shape and the attitude of thesecond spacer 71 that stands erect without any support from otherelements in the effective area. In the second spacer 71, the resin 52 isprovided around the insulating bead 53, and the second spacer 71 isformed on the alignment film 90, which function as buffer materials toreduce occurrence of damage or the like to the second spacer 71 thatwould be caused by the second spacer 71 coming in direct contact withelectrodes and/or substrates.

The second spacer 71 has a light-transmitting property. With thisconfiguration, light passes through the second spacer 71 as well,whereby decrease in the transmittance of the light adjustment panel 1Adue to the presence of the second spacer 71 can be restrained.

What is claimed is:
 1. An optical element comprising: a first substrateincluding a first electrode; a second substrate stacked on the firstsubstrate and including a second electrode; a liquid crystal layerprovided between the first substrate and the second substrate; a sealingmember extending along an outer periphery of the liquid crystal layer; afirst spacer provided on an inner side of the sealing member; and aconductive column provided on an outer side of the sealing member andelectrically connecting the first electrode and the second electrode,wherein the conductive column and the first spacer include the samematerial, wherein the first substrate has a rectangular shape includinga first side and a second side intersecting the first side, a firstterminal group is provided on the first side, and a second terminalgroup is provided on the second side, wherein the second substrate has arectangular shape having an area smaller than an area of the firstsubstrate, and wherein the first terminal group and the second terminalgroup are exposed when the second substrate is stacked on the firstsubstrate.
 2. The optical element according to claim 1, wherein thematerial of the conductive column and the first spacer includes a resinand a conductive bead contained in the resin.
 3. The optical elementaccording to claim 1, wherein the first spacer has a column shape. 4.The optical element according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of thefirst spacers are scattered at equal intervals.
 5. The optical elementaccording to claim 1, wherein the first spacer overlaps with at leastone of the first electrode or the second electrode with an insulatinglayer therebetween.
 6. The optical element according to claim 1, whereinthe first terminal group includes a first terminal, a second terminal, athird terminal, and a fourth terminal, wherein the second terminal groupincludes a fifth terminal, a sixth terminal, a seventh terminal, and aneighth terminal, wherein the first terminal and the fifth terminal areelectrically coupled to each other through a first wiring line, whereinthe second terminal and the sixth terminal are electrically coupled toeach other through a second wiring line, wherein the third terminal andthe seventh terminal are electrically coupled to each other through athird wiring line, wherein the fourth terminal and the eighth terminalare electrically coupled to each other through a fourth wiring line, andwherein each of the second wiring line and the third wiring line iscoupled to a liquid crystal drive electrode.
 7. An optical elementcomprising: a first substrate; a second substrate stacked on the firstsubstrate; a liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrateand the second substrate; a sealing member extending along an outerperiphery of the liquid crystal layer; and a spacer provided on an innerside of the sealing member and contacting the first substrate and thesecond substrate, wherein the sealing member and the spacer include thesame material, and wherein the material of the sealing member and thespacer includes a resin and an insulating bead contained in the resin.8. The optical element according to claim 7, wherein the spacer has acolumn shape.
 9. The optical element according to claim 7, wherein aplurality of the spacers are scattered at equal intervals.
 10. Theoptical element according to claim 7, wherein the spacer has alight-transmitting property.